Short Film Review-Notorious

Approximately 12 years after the tragic death of  influential rap superstar, The Notorious BIG, fans and general audiences alike are finally given a cinematic view of his rags to riches story. Now, I most certainly went  into this film as a fan of the music and the artist himself but attempted to watch the film from an objective standpoint. With that being said, Notorious will surely resonate with audiences of the hip hop genre due to its inclusion of several recognizable stars that were crucial to Biggie’s life at some point or another, not to mention Faith Evans, Lil’ Kim, Lil Cease, 2Pac and the flashy mogul himself, Sean “Diddy” Combs. Despite the casting for Lil’ Cease being a bit exaggerated and comical, the cast of Notorious is spot-on and exceptionally carrried by the main character who is played by Jamal Woolard. Woolard might have something if he continues to pursue acting but will always be typecasted as “the guy who played Biggie Smalls”. His performance in this film legitimately captures the charm, charisma and exceptional lyrical prowess of the late B.I.G. The relationships between Christopher Wallace and his counterparts are well told through the film’s story, perhaps the relationship with his mother, Voletta, being the the most heartfelt. Voletta Wallace, convincingly played by Angela Bassett, presents the epitome of a hard working mother who tries effortlessly to provide for her son, even if it means allowing him to get out of his legal troubles himself. The complicated relationship between Biggie and Kim is one that is a bit glamorized, as it showcases Lil’ Kim as a talentless, female MC that gets by only through her sexual deviance.

A biopic like Notorious is entertainnig to watch because of the amount of heart that is conveyed in many of the scenes. However, it is quite formulaic in that fans will watch this movie knowing everything that happens as the narratvie progresses. It does not give the audience a spectacular film that will be talked about for years on end, but it is a fun piece of work to watch and become engaged in, even if it’s only to see Jamal Woolard’s better-than-expected portrayal of the icon, Notroious B.I.G.

OVERALL RATING-2.8 out of 4 Stars

Film Review-The Wrestler

Ah, the oh so controversial world of  professional wrestling  finally gets a worthy portrayal on screen that is supported by an artistic director (Darren Aronofsky) and an incredible performance by Mickey Rourke. The Wrestler follows the life of a once-at-the-top-of-his-game pro wrestler who sees his heyday during the 1980s pass him by. Randy ” The Ram” Robinson is battling heart problems, constant evictions and a daughter who holds his very existence in pure contempt. Throughout the progress of this absolutely heartbreaking story, Mickey Rourke  does not fail or come up short in convincing us that he is broken down physically and emotionally with nothing to lose. Wrestling is without a doubt the only thing that can get his life back on track when he has a shot at redemption by facing Ayatollah, two decades after both athletes were in their respective primes.

Now, the average person will go on into this movie with prejudgments about how wrestling is “fake” and it’s all one big circus. However, what The Wrestler does is depart from this notion by demonstrating the brutal environment that pro wrestlers compete in just to put on a show for the fans in attendance. It also shows the viewer just how much of an adrenaline rush it really for these athletes to risk everything in their lives. The “Ram” is in no condition to put himself through physical strain due to his health complications, but somehow we want him to defy all odds  and regain the prestige he once held in the square circle. His reunion with his teenage daughter, played by Evan Rachel Wood, is one of the most depressing aspects of the entire film, which adds to the resonance that Rourke’s character provides. Marissa Tomei plays a stripper who tends to Randy on a nightly basis to provide customer service, but eventually finds an intangible quality that separates him from other men. The on screen chemistry of Rourke and Tomei is definitely present but Rourke’s performance undoubtedly carries the dialogue of these two interesting characters.

It is quite evident that this film had a relatively low budget, but that does not take away from the fact that The Wrestler is an extremely well made motion picture that brings forth aesthetics of the realm of human emotion displayed on screen. The cinematography is handled with artistic expertise in that the first several shots of the film don’t exactly show Mickey Rourke’s face, which perhaps serves as an allegory to his dwindling Hollywood career of  the past decade. The revitalization of this actor’s career has officially taken place with a film that is not about wrestling, but about a man who realizes his sole purpose for living. With its ambiguous ending, The Wrestler is proves to be worth more than its somewhat dull title by being one of the best movies of 2008.

OVERALL RATING- 3.5 out of 4 stars

Short Film Review-Slumdog Millionaire

What do you get when you integrate  elements of  pop culture with stylish filmmaking and an intriguing plot? The answer is Slumdog Millionaire.  Based on Vikas Swarup’s book, Q and A, Slumdog Millionaire is perhaps the most well-rounded film of the year, combining realistic characters and dramatic moments with superbly paced editing.  The film’s protagonist, Jamal Malik, endures hardships through his childhood in Mumbai in order to be reunited with his adolescent love, Ratika. Jamal becomes a contestant on the Indian version of  Who Wants to Be A Millionaire, in hopes of securing his prolonged destiny. Much of the film’s narrative is told through a retrospective point of view that  exhibits the difficult circumstances of two brothers living in the slums of India.  From a technical standpoint, we get various shots that convey much tension and heighten the intensity of the plot  as the story unfolds. The film’s intertextual references serve as significant tools that remind the viewer just how important things like family, love and dignity really are. One can not help but root for Jamal to become a millionaire and live his childhood dream of ultimate satisfaction. Simon Beaufoy’s excellent screenplay and Danny Boyle’s exhilarating direction provide a film with plenty of heart and realism that any viewer will not soon forget.

OVERALL RATING- 3.6 out of 4 stars

Short Film Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

David Fincher’s most recent effort showcases an incredible journey through time and raises questions that pertain to the existentialist side of human life. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button undoubtedly displays fanstastic visual components that are backed by heavily convincing CGI and dazzling cinematography. The core interest of the film lies in the performance of Brad Pitt, however, as the viewer is captivated by his mystifying presence as a man that ages backwards. His co-star, Cate Blanchett, adds on to this notion picture with her mysterious, yet luring character.  The Curious Case of Benjamin Button may be a very well made film with wonderful aesthetics, but it is not perfect. Although Fincher’s purpose was to make this film have an epic quality to it, the narrative is extremely drawn out, obliging the spectator to question the length of the film. Had it been 30 minutes shorter, it could have been a bit more entertaining and digestable. With that being said, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is one of the best films of 2008 and is definitely recommended to any lover of cinema.

OVERALL RATING- 3 .2 stars out of 4

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